Entering last season, Kristaps Porzingis was talking playoffs or bust. He’s tempered that braggadocio now that the Knicks are embarking on a rebuilding plan that includes potentially shipping Carmelo Anthony for futures.

Knicks president Steve Mills has talked of developing their young talent rather than focusing on a 2017-18 playoff berth.

“My expectations are hard to say right now,’’ the 22-year-old Porzingis said Friday at a practice in South Africa where he is on the NBA’s promotional tour. “Everything has changed with the Knicks organization. There will be a lot of new things. For myself, I’ve been working extremely hard next summer to come back next season as a better player than I was this season. My focus is on the national team. I‘m excited as much for the national team as I am for the next season. I just love basketball.”

In taking a respite from Latvia’s training camp in preparation for late August’s European championships, Porzingis joined this African junket and will play Saturday for the World Team facing Team Africa.

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His idol, Mavericks veteran 7-footer Dirk Nowitzki, is also a member of the World Team that consists of all players with no African residential ties. In teaming up this week, Porzingis finally crossed off an item on his bucket list in working out separately with the player regarded as the best to ever come out of Europe.

“We were just competing, shooting, doing a little bit of shooting drills,’’ Porzingis said. “I want to learn as much as I can from him. (I’m) asking him questions all the time. I’m happy I’m able to spend some time with him.’’

Injuries last season tempered the runaway enthusiasm surrounding Porzingis, who became disgruntled with the way former president Phil Jackson ran the organization and he subsequently blew off his April exit meeting, creating a firestorm.

With Jackson ousted, Porzingis has since recommitted to the Knicks for life. Whether that’s a strategic maneuver to have management not seek to trade him in a Kyrie Irving deal is unclear. The Post has reported Jackson entertained trade offers for Porzingis only because he feared him leaving during his free-agency in two years. Sources told The Post that Porzingis is no longer for sale — not even for Irving.

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The contest Saturday at Ticket Pro Dome in South Africa marks Porzingis’ first game since April 2 against Boston. He missed the season’s last five games (16 overall) with back woes after struggling with Achilles tendinitis earlier in the year but posted solid numbers (18.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.95 blocks in 32.8 minutes per game).

“Of course I am (excited),’’ Porzingis said of the contest. “I haven’t played organized basketball since the season ended. I’ve just (been) working individually, working out three times a day. I’m excited for the game.’’

In addition to wanting to be around Nowitzki, Porzingis had a yen to grow the game, even though he’s missing Latvia’s exhibition vs. Lithuania.

“All these things matter, especially a big event like this,’’ Porzingis said. “I heard the arena is going to be sold out. People like basketball over here. They just don’t have enough information and ways how to watch it and follow it. This is a great event — to grow the game in Africa.’’